Divers searching the wreck of a superyacht off the coast of Sicily made a grim discovery on Wednesday, as they found the bodies of five passengers. The search for one more passenger is ongoing, but given the amount of time that has passed and the lack of any signs of life, experts believe the operation has shifted from a rescue to a recovery mission. The superyacht, named the Bayesian, sank in a storm early Monday, while a nearby sailboat, the Sir Robert Baden Powell, remained largely unscathed. Maritime experts are now questioning why the superyacht sank so quickly, while the sailboat was able to rescue the survivors.
One theory is that the superyacht was struck by a waterspout, which caused it to capsize and take on water rapidly. Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water, and they can be extremely destructive. Another possibility is that the superyacht had a lifting keel, which would have reduced its stability and made it easier for it to roll over on its side. Jean-Baptiste Souppez, a fellow of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects, explains that if the yacht had a lifting keel, it would have made it more susceptible to capsizing.
The captain of the sailboat that came to the Bayesian’s rescue, Karsten Börner, says his vessel sustained minimal damage during the storm, even with winds reaching hurricane-strength force. He suggests that the superyacht’s tall mast may have contributed to its instability. Yachts like the Bayesian are required to have watertight compartments that can prevent rapid sinking, even if some parts of the vessel fill with water. The fact that the yacht sank quickly and in multiple locations suggests that it may have rolled over on its side.
The ongoing search and recovery mission is being conducted by Italian coast guard and fire rescue divers. They are facing dangerous and time-consuming conditions, as the wreck is located 50 meters underwater. Divers can only spend about 12 minutes at a time searching due to the depth, in order to avoid decompression sickness. The tight turnaround time indicates that the operation is prioritizing safety and minimizing risks for the divers.
The lack of any signs of life and the recovery of bodies has led experts to conclude that the search is now a recovery effort and investigation into the cause of the tragedy. Jean-Baptiste Souppez acknowledges that the absence of any signs of life inside the vessel is not a good sign.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about what caused the superyacht to sink so quickly and why the nearby sailboat was not similarly affected. The recovery of the missing passenger and the analysis of the wreckage may provide more answers in the coming days.
